Finding Your Mid-Year Rhythm (You’ve Got This)
If you’re a first-year teacher, November can feel like mile 13 of a marathon — routines are set, but the finish line still feels far away. You’ve survived the first wave of chaos, and now the grind sets in.
Here’s the truth: you’re not imagining it. Around this time each year, studies show that nearly 40% of new teachers experience what researchers call the disillusionment phase — that emotional dip between the excitement of August and the exhaustion of November.
But this phase? It’s temporary. And it’s often the turning point that shapes your teaching identity.
A Small Shift That Changes Everything
One teacher I worked with, said she felt like she was “teaching on fumes.” Her lessons were solid, but she’d lost her spark.
We made one small change: every Friday, she asked her students to finish this sentence —
“Something I learned this week that I’m proud of…”
By winter break, her classroom walls were covered with student notes. Each message reminded her that growth was happening — quietly, every day.
That’s the power of reflection: it grounds you in progress, not perfection.
Your Reflection Challenge
Take ten minutes this week to jot down three things that are working in your classroom — even small wins like smoother transitions or a student who finally spoke up.
You’ll notice your mindset shift from surviving to growing.
Related Reads:
- How to Build Classroom Routines That Stick
- 5 Quick Morning Meeting Ideas That Boost Student Connection
- The Truth About Teacher Burnout — And How to Prevent It
Ready to Strengthen Those Bonds?
Enrollment is now open for my Strong Bonds Teaching Program, starting January 5, 2026 — a guided experience that helps teachers create strong, lasting classroom relationships that make the year smoother and more fulfilling.
You’re not just teaching — you’re building confidence, community, and trust that lasts far beyond the lesson plan.
